Assam, Meghalaya CMs discuss inter-state border dispute

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma on Friday decided to expedite resolving the inter-state border dispute. A delegation led by Sangma met his Assam counterpart in Guwahati and held discussions on several issues concerning the two States.

In a post on X, Sarma said, “It was an honour to welcome the enterprising chief minister of Meghalaya and my dear brother Conrad Sangma to Lok Sewa Bhawan today. We had an excellent discussion and have made some good progress on long-standing issues.” On the boundary demarcation process, the two sides agreed to expedite the ongoing process and bring a lasting solution to the matter, he added. “In the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat, Assam and Meghalaya are collaborating in various fields and exploring synergies that will boost the growth trajectory of the Ashtalakshmi region,” Sarma said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the eight northeastern states India’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’— representing the multifaceted nature of prosperity, wealth, and auspiciousness. The Chief Minister’s Office said the discussions focused on key inter-state matters, including the Assam-Meghalaya boundary, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to mutual respect, friendship and continued dialogue.

Assam and Meghalaya have a longstanding dispute in 12 areas along the 884.9-km-long inter-state border.

The two states had signed an agreement in March 2022 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to end disputes in six areas. Under the first-phase settlement at six places covering 36.79 sq km of disputed land, Assam received 18.46 sq km, and Meghalaya got 18.33 sq km. The remaining six areas, where the differences are more complex, are now being addressed in the second phase. Meghalaya was carved out of Assam in 1972 and has since then challenged the Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971, which is recognised by Assam as its border.